Linderhof

Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas

Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Tea Times

Every afternoon -- either at 3 or 4:30, I stop what I'm doing and put the kettle on for a cup of tea. I often have a nosh with tea -- a cookie or a piece of tea bread. Just something to stave off the hunger until it's time for dinner.

And on our cruises, tea time was at 3 . . . and elegant teas they were. With softly playing piano music or perhaps a string quartet. And elegant foods both sweet and savory.

So for Three or More Tuesday, I'm sharing three of the cruise teas . . . much more elegant that the usual afternoon tea at Linderhof.The one and only afternoon tea on our first cruise. Sandwiches and sweets all on one plate. Alas, there were no scones, however. And the macaroon (a favorite) was chocolate (which is not!)On Holland America, the first afternoon tea -- in the dining room with sandwiches of cucumber and salmon.And an elegant array of sweets. The swan puffs were a favorite!The array of foods at the Dutch Tea held on Holland America. Although all the foods were arranged on big serving platters, servers served the individual cakes and sandwiches.

A nice array of sweet treats to select from. It was really hard not to take one of each!

And some sweet chocolate covered strawberries!

A plate of sweets and savories including a real scone -- as good as I've had anywhere!

As with everything on the cruise, it is hard to go back to reality -- to my small pot of tea brewed by myself with just a cookie or two.

Mmmmm - I love seeing a title that tells me there's tea at Linderhof, even at 7 in the morning!Your photos took me back to September. There really is nothing at all like a Holland America afternoon tea. They hit just the right note with enough little sandwiches and sweets, little silver teapots and attentive service - but never pretentious or stuffy.